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Five Artists Shortlisted for the Seventh Edition of Ithra Art Prize

The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine) - SPA
The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine) - SPA
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Five Artists Shortlisted for the Seventh Edition of Ithra Art Prize

The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine) - SPA
The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine) - SPA

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced the five shortlisted artists for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, which celebrates artists from or based in the 22 Arab countries.

Recognized as one of the most distinguished honors in the Middle East, the Prize is dedicated to empowering artists, fostering innovation, and deepening cultural dialogue across the Arab world.

The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine), SPA reported.

Head of Ithra’s Museum Farah Abushullaih said: “The development and expansion of the Ithra Art Prize since its launch have established it as an important platform for artistic expression.

This year’s shortlist reflects the incredible diversity, creativity, and critical thought shaping contemporary art in the Arab world. The open call received more than 500 artistic submissions, which underwent an initial review process before a selected group of works was evaluated by the jury.”

She added that the award, in its current edition, is witnessing an expansion in scope compared to previous years, as the judging panel is providing production grants to the five finalists, with their works to be showcased in a dedicated exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) during the spring of 2026.

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Culture

Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine
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Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) successfully concluded its participation at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, held from January 19 to 23 in Davos, Switzerland, marking a historic and groundbreaking presence for Saudi culture at the world’s premier economic event.

Hosted at the Saudi House, the CDF engaged over 200 international experts, including leading economists and investors, through a series of dynamic activities such as a networking breakfast, panel discussion, and beneficiary talks on the NextOn platform. The CDF emphasized culture not only as a form of artistic and creative expression, but also as a vital economic driver and a strategic pillar for national development, SPA reported.

Reinforcing this vision, CDF CEO Majed Al-Hugail highlighted in a Davos panel Saudi Arabia's belief in culture as a pivotal force for economic diversification and quality of life. By 2030, he stated, the cultural sector is set to contribute $48 billion to GDP, create more than 346,000 jobs, and attract 22 million visitors.

The CDF also underscored the critical role of financing in empowering entrepreneurship and amplifying the economic potential of the cultural sector. Notable participants in the NextOn talk series included Co-Founder of AlMashtal Creative Incubator Princess Noura bint Saud bin Naif, who addressed “Culture as Economic Infrastructure: Unlocking Human Capital Through the Creative Industries.” Additionally, CEO of the Arabian Housing & Building (AHB) Company Eng. Khalid Alhenaidy contributed insights during a session titled “The Value in Cultural Assets.”

Looking ahead, the CDF organized six strategic side meetings aimed at exploring new opportunities and fostering collaborations to accelerate the development of the Saudi cultural sector and attract global investment. It also distributed 150 copies of the comprehensive investment report, Saudi Cultural Market Outlook 2025: Vision, Impact, and Opportunities, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Investment, and the Invest Saudi initiative.

Furthermore, the CDF showcased Saudi creativity by exporting 60 cultural products from Samuda, a fashion-sector beneficiary brand, highlighting the growing economic significance of the Saudi fashion market.

This milestone reflects the CDF’s commitment to serving as a center of excellence and financial enabler for the Kingdom’s cultural sector. It underscores ongoing efforts to elevate Saudi culture on the global stage, maximizing its economic and social impact in alignment with the ambitious objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Culture

King Salman Arabic Language Academy Launches Arabic Language Month in Mexico

The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA
The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA
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King Salman Arabic Language Academy Launches Arabic Language Month in Mexico

The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA
The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched the Arabic Language Month in Mexico as part of its international efforts to support Arabic language education for non-native speakers and strengthen its cultural and intellectual presence in global academic institutions.

The program runs throughout January and includes a variety of scientific and educational events, such as intensive training courses for teachers and learners, specialized programs for teachers of Arabic as a foreign language, a symposium on the current state and challenges of Arabic language education in Mexico, the administration of the “Hamza” academic test to assess learners’ proficiency, and organized scientific and cultural visits, SPA reported.

Implemented in cooperation with key institutions in Mexico, the program targets teachers, learners, and anyone interested in teaching Arabic as a foreign language.

The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities, and active participation from the academy leaders in academic events. It aims to enhance institutional and scientific collaboration, expand international partnerships, and advance the academy’s mission of promoting Arabic language education worldwide.

Culture

Holy Sites Journey Program Fosters Cultural Dialogue Among Youth

Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA
Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA
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Holy Sites Journey Program Fosters Cultural Dialogue Among Youth

Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA
Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA

The Holy Sites Journey Program for Arab and Islamic Youth, organized by the Ministry of Sport in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League Arab, has fostered cultural dialogue among youth from Arab and Islamic countries through specialized discussion sessions.

These sessions highlighted shared values and religious and cultural experiences within a framework that reflects the Kingdom’s civilizational and humanitarian message, SPA reported.

Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries, highlighting its role in fostering mutual understanding, challenging stereotypes, and building bridges of communication grounded in respect and coexistence.